Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon says the NRL club will do everything they can to support former winger Nathan Stapleton, who suffered a fractured neck earlier this month.
Stapleton played 61 NRL games with the Sharks before stints with the Sydney Roosters and the London Broncos.
More recently the 32-year-old has been playing rugby union for Boorowa.
In Boorowa's game against West Wyalong on April 9, Stapleton was hurt in a ruck with the match being abandoned.
"It's such a shame, I was at the Roosters when 'Stapo' was there too," Fitzgibbon said.
"It's just a tragedy for Nathan and his family and whatever the Sharks can do to support them is obviously crucial and everyone in rugby league in general should get behind him.
"It's sad news and best wishes to him and all involved.
"It's still early days for where he is at, at the moment, but it's definitely saddening."
Stapleton has been transferred to a spinal unit at Sydney's Royal North Shore hospital where he is undergoing further treatment.
